Golf Clubs enabled him to finish joint third with Jose Manuel Lara from Spain, who had 73, and Italy’s Alberto Binaghi, who birdied the last for a 72. Stenson’s prize was enough to move him well clear at the top of the Order of Merit.

But for most it was a day to batten down the hatches and to limit the damage. One who suffered was Federico Bisazza of Italy, who began the day in second spot but carded a 79 to drop back to sixth on 286.

Welshman Mark Pilkington, TaylorMade burner plus driver who led the tournament at the halfway stage, was another to suffer, his 77 for level-par 288 leaving him in joint 10th spot.